EPILOGUE
" Y ep. See ya." I wave to my customer as they walk towards the door, and as soon as it's closed behind them, I launch myself in my chair towards the reception desk—the wheels clacking across the tiles.
"Move it," I say, bumping Carey out from in front of the computer before standing up.
Taking the mouse, I mark myself unavailable for the rest of the day.
"The hell are you doing?"
"Clocking off early."
"It's only two."
"And you're still not my boss… Maww." I tap him sarcastically on the cheek. "I'll see you again soon. In the meantime, you get to hang out with this pair." I gesture towards Tek and Reeze, still working at their stations.
Reeze flips me the bird, and I blow him a kiss.
Bringing him back and making him a partner was one of the best ideas I ever had.
Well, it was my idea to bring him back, it was Tek that insisted on making him partner. Though a lot of his buy-in was comped on account of his destroyed equipment and bike, but it was a small price for me to pay. He fucked up, but I handled it like a child.
It was surprisingly easy for us to settle back into the same routine we always had, except with Carey at the desk. And I take full responsibility for the amazing shop manager he turned out to be. Because Tek was right, I don't know what the fuck we had been paying Shawn to do for all those years.
We've got a merch line. An online store. And Carey's got half the shop set up like a damn art gallery, but, fuck me, the shit sells. It doesn't matter what it is, the kid will frame anything. I'll throw a sketch in the trash and the next day it's in some rusty frame he found at a thrift store.
Riding my chair back to my station, I take my phone, wallet, and keys out of the top drawer.
"Six forty-five for the shuttle, yeah?" I ask Tek as I stand, then take my jacket off the back of my chair and put it on.
"Six forty-five am, " Carey answers for him.
"For the love of Christ," I mumble down at my chest as I slide my wallet into my back pocket.
"It was your idea to hire him."
I glance at Tek from the corner of my eye. "If I'd known he'd still be here a year later…"
"Who needs who?" Carey asks from across the room.
"We need you, dear brother."
"And he'll never let us forget it." Tek and I both look over to Reeze. His head is still down, but he's got a smug grin on his face.
"Hey. You're meant to be the good one."
"You sure about that?" Reeze tilts his head just enough to look at Carey.
"Yes I'm sur—"
"Aaand on that note," I interrupt, walking backwards towards the door. "I'm out. Reeze, don't destroy the place while we're gone. And I'll see you two in the morning."
It's fucking cold outside. A hell of a lot colder than it was this time last year.
The main street is decorated with all the typical fall bullshit. There are pumpkins and crates out the front of most of the shops—ours included, and garlands hang across the road between the lamp posts.
Six months ago we voted in a new mayor, and shit has never moved so fast in Broadrock. It's new and weird, but also great because the shop has never been this busy so close to Christmas. Which is another reason why this vacation feels so deserved.
I continue down the main street until I reach the traffic lights at the southern end.
I join the small group of people waiting to cross over to the town square markets—now a regular Saturday fixture—beside the playground, and I find myself smiling.
I don't know if it's just because I'm genuinely happy for the first time in my life, but Broadrock really doesn't feel like a crappy little town anymore.
The kind that keeps souls born here trapped, and where knowing everyone's business is a burden.
I'm not saying I need to be best friends with the other store owners, or join the town council, but I swear the place looks brighter.
The temperature is hovering just above freezing, but it still feels like the centre of the goddamn universe.
I walk with the crowd towards the rows of stalls, all set up beneath matching white canopies.
There are organic fruits and vegetables.
Arts and crafts of every single persuasion.
And right in the middle of the second last row—chatting to a customer, in all his glory—is my heart, my soul, and my entire reason for living.
My god, I'm a soppy fuck.
I guess finding your soulmate will do that to even the biggest of assholes.
Holding back, I watch Jin bag up a giant loaf of sourdough, and as he hands it to the woman who bought it, he sees me for the first time.
The smile on his face is instant, and my stomach flips the second his cheeks form those amazing, sexy dimples.
As soon as the customer steps away to look at the next stall, Jin starts fidgeting with his fingers. He raises up and down on tiptoes a few times, and I know he’s trying his hardest to remain professional when all he wants to do is run into my arms.
Putting him out of his misery, I slip my hands into my pockets, and approach.
I pretend I'm a customer and stop right beside him. Rocking back and forth on my heels, I look over what’s left of the bread he spent the last two days preparing. "What's good today?"
“The gochujang sourdough is still my biggest seller.”
“You were onto something all the way back then.”
Jin steps closer to my side until our arms are touching. “I taught you pretty quickly that I understand flavors better than you.”
I take my hand out of my pocket and place it on his lower back. “You know a lot of things better than me, Little One.” Giving in to the temptation, Jin shuffles in front of me so I can wrap my arms around him from behind. “I’m so proud of you,” I tell him, and rest my chin on the top of his head.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You could have done most of it without me.”
“You’re right. I only needed you to make the sign.”
“Cheeky little prick,” I smirk. “I still think you should have named it Nasty’s.”
“Oh, for sure. Let me go get some of that Nasty bread. Better go see Mr Nasty before he sells out. You would have been entertained, but my sales would have suffered for it.”
“I know. You’re right. You’re always right.”
“Sometimes.”
“Sometimes, you’re always right.”
“Exactly,” he giggles. “And in this case of sometimes—“
I slap my hand over his mouth. “HART AND SEOUL is, and will forever be, a far superior name for your bakery.”
Jin nods firmly, and I slide my hand down from his mouth. Boldly, I let it linger around his neck for several seconds before separating myself from him.
His pale cheeks are flushed bright pink, and he nervously straightens the decorations on the front of his stall. “So, ah… Um… Did you find out what time Carey booked the shuttle?”
“Six forty-five. Am. ”
“Wow. Okay. I’m glad I’m already packed, then.”
“Mr. pro international traveller runs a tight ship.”
“You say that like you’ve got nothing in common with him.” Jin looks at me side on, and when my eyes meet his, his lips form a tight smile before he quickly tears them away. “Have you forgotten how you would burst into the shed while the sun was still rising and start barking orders at me?”
“I haven’t. But I don't like thinking about it.”
“Why?”
“Because you should have been in the cabin with me the whole time. Warm in my bed. Where you belong.”
Jin nods, but won’t look at me.
“What? What have I done now?”
“Nothing,” he laughs, stepping closer to whisper, "I didn’t like you being cruel. But I wouldn’t mind you being bossy to me like that again. Maybe…”
I force my hands into my pockets. “Don’t say it unless you want it to happen.”
“Maybe I liked feeling naughty. Like I’d done something wrong.”
I lean in closer to him. “Now you’re the one being cruel.”
The sweetest, butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, smile takes over his face as he dips his head to the side. “It’s literally impossible for me to be cruel.”
I bring my lips to his ear, and say, "We’ll be talking about this later.”
“Promise?”
I take a step back, because if I don’t, I very likely could destroy two businesses.
I walk in a large circle, away from Jin, weaving through passers by and potential customers.
“Right,” I say firmly when I’m in front of him again, then hold the back of his head so I can give him a quick kiss. “There's still a few things I need to get for the trip, but I’ll be back in an hour with the truck to help you pack up.”
“Are you sure you have to go?”
“If you keep looking at me like that, it won’t be a comfortable day for you tomorrow. Twenty hours. Two flights. Those seats could get very— “
“I love you.” He cuts me off with a peck on my cheek. “Don’t forget that toothpaste I like. Don’t wanna get caught a whole hemisphere away from perfect teeth.”
Jin smiles, and it’s big. All dimples, pushed up cheeks, his pretty eyes, and that tiny sliver of gum that peeks out.
“I love you, too, Little One,” I tell him. And I know I'll mean it for the rest of my life.
THE END